Fantasia Barrino gave birth to her second child and first son on Tuesday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina with her longtime boyfriend but still married Antwaun Cook.
Fantasia has traveled a long way to reach a place of happiness in her personal life. Barrino, 27, was the American Idol winner in 2004, just three years after giving birth to her daughter, Zion, at 16 years old. Barrino found success in her career with three successful albums, a New York Times Best selling memoir, an award winning stint on Broadway and a well watched reality TV show ‘Fantasia For Real.’ When it came to her personal life however, things were not as peachy.
In 2009 Fantasia met Antwaun Cook at a T-Mobile store where he worked and the two immediately hit it off. Soon after Cook was accompanying Fantasia to award shows and on vacations. Fantasia even tattooed the name Cook on her collarbone. Through all the obvious signs of a relationship, Fantasia classified Cook as a “friend”. In 2010, Fantasia was named in a ‘Alienation of Affection’ lawsuit filed by Cook’s wife Paula Cook. Paula, who also has two young boys with Antwaun, accused Fantasia of having an adulterous affair with her husband and thereby ruining her marriage. Fantasia finally admitted to having by that time a 11-month long affair with Antwaun but maintained she was not a “home-wrecker” as called by Paula. Her manager Brian Dickens said at the time, (Fantasia) “is not responsible for the deterioration of the Cooks’ marriage.” The pressure appeared to be to much for Fantasia was later rushed to the hospital that same evening after an accidental overdose on aspirin and sleeping pills. Dickens released this statement on Barrino’s condition,
“She has been lifted up by the outpouring of love and support from her fans. She is more committed than ever to her daughter and her work because they are her heart, her soul and inspiration.”
In the end the courts ruled in Fantasia’s favor and dropped Paula’s lawsuit stating that her marriage was not intact when Fantasia began dating Antwaun. Despite the ruling the backlash followed Fantasia who many believed would move on from Antwaun. Fantasia and Antwaun continued their relationship and in late July Fantasia confirmed her pregnancy, news many of her fans found unsurprising.
‘You are the first persons that I share this news with,” Fantasia revealed at a concert in Florida. “And I share this with you because I can relate to you. ‘And for a while I walked around figuring out what will they say and what will they think about me. But now I tell you I don’t live my life for folk. This child that I’m carrying, God has given me this child. And I don’t have to hide it from none of y’all.”
And from there it appeared that Fantasia was going to make it through her journey a better person. On December 13th, Fantasia welcomed her son , 7 lbs., 9 oz. and 21 inches long, Dallas Xavier Barrino.
“I feel so blessed that my son Dallas Xavier was born healthy, and is a wonderful new addition to our family, Barrino stated to People.
We should note that Fantasia did not officially confirm Antwaun Cook is the father though he was present at the baby shower.
It’s been a long journey for Fantasia but hopefully with the new addition to her family and an upcoming role as Mahalia Jackson in the legendary gospel singer’s biopic, she will truly live her life for herself and not others.
Congrats again to Fantasia!
